Sunday, August 19 Ride Reports

[Crankin]

Did a quick, flattish ride in the afternoon. Yes, signs of fall are in the air. But, the forecast is saying it will be 90 and humid by Friday, of course, the day I am leading a ride. We did 16.6 miles up Monument St, around Skelton to Rt. 225 into Bedford and back up Rt. 62 to Concord Center, and then home. There seemed to be millions of riders out yesterday. We passed several, instead of them passing me, so that was a little positive reinforcement. When we turned the corner onto Barret's Mill Rd. there was a couple going kind of slowly, talking to each other. My husband went out in front of them, but something told me to stay on the back. I got in behind the woman, and all of a sudden I was following her at 24 mph. Then I noticed the guy was wearing NEBC shorts (SheFly's club). I knew these people were serious, but they let my husband lead them out until we turned onto Strawberry Hill Rd. We both knew what would happen next. On the smallish hill that leads up to my street these 2 took off and we couldn't even see them when we turned onto our street. I checked my computer then and my average was 16.7 Of course riding up my street and driveway kills that, so when i got home, it was 16.1.
Twice in a week I had an average over 16, including the climb up to my house.

[cosc]

Tri Girl I waaaant a smooth rode with shoulder to ride on like the one in your pic. Every where I ride there is new chip and seal. Yes, I whine aplenty.

Sara I'm glad you ended upright after the dog encounters. There was a couple of strange dogs on my ride today and I got off my bike to walk pass. One dog came out to the road just wanting attention.

Popoki your bike makes my heart go pitter pat!

The 26 mile ride was my first in a week as I've been sick. The beautiful red,white and black woodpecker was the highlight of my ride. Weather was perfect-cloudy,70 and no wind.

[emily_in_nc]

Rode 30 miles with DH on rolling rural roads of Orange and Alamance County. Not a single dog encounter, what a relief! Sara, my heart was beating faster just reading your report. I broke my pelvis in three places in '05 when two loose dogs caused me to crash, so I am VERY nervous about dogs now. I have an Air Zound air horn as well as Halt pepper spray in a handlebar-mounted holder (from Nashbar) on my bike now. I do feel a bit safer because of it. Glad you're okay!

Emily

[Kano]

First he complained that I was going too slowly. (had a plan -- these were warm up miles, to avoid blowing up on the early little rolling hills) The first five miles or so was flat, then gentle rollers, and the slow start worked well for me!

Then he complained that I was going too fast. (reward for pacing myself and getting up the big hills AND the small ones) I did kinda hammer after conquering the big hills (muscles complained all afternoon, but it felt great at the time!)

Usually he complains that I stop to rest (stretch) a couple of times on the way to the big hill. (cuz I don't usually go "too slow" those first few miles, and then don't handle the early rollers well)

Yesterday he complained that I didn't stop to rest and his butt hurt...

Couldn't make him happy with MY ride yesterday, but _I_ sure loved it!

My only grumble about my ride yesterday -- I never did get my usual post-ride nap!

Karen in Boise

[maryellen]

very happy to report that i finally broke the 50 mile barrier for the first time since last year's accident. 54.9 miles to be exact. i was beaming for the rest of the day on sunday!

[RolliePollie]

Rode 30 miles with DH on rolling rural roads of Orange and Alamance County. Not a single dog encounter, what a relief! Sara, my heart was beating faster just reading your report. I broke my pelvis in three places in '05 when two loose dogs caused me to crash, so I am VERY nervous about dogs now. I have an Air Zound air horn as well as Halt pepper spray in a handlebar-mounted holder (from Nashbar) on my bike now. I do feel a bit safer because of it. Glad you're okay!

Emily

Wow, Emily...a broken pelvis...ouch! I like the air horn idea a lot. I can't believe this, but I just had another dog encounter tonight. This time it was a Rottweiler. I was rolling down a hill at a high rate of speed and the dog was trotting down the road in the same direction. Of course, he heard me coming, turned around, and went NUTS! I fully expected him to rip my leg off as I went by. I think an air horn would've been a great idea in this situation! I'm hoping I'm through with dogs for a while...three encounters in two days is plenty!